Why humidity is everything when it comes to cigars

The humidity level in the humidor is the most important factor of all.

Too dry? → Cigar loses aroma and becomes harsh.
Too moist? → poor combustion, musty taste, risk of mold.

The good news: With a few rules, you can quickly achieve a stable result.

What is the ideal humidity level?

This area works best for most cigars:

✅ 65% to 72% relative humidity

Many cigar lovers use the following as standard:

👉 68–70% as a “sweet spot”

Rule of thumb for beginners: Better stable than perfect.

You don't need to readjust it every day.

More importantly:
✅ Stable values ​​over time
instead of
❌ constant up/down

If your humidor stays consistently at 68%, that's better than 65% today and 74% tomorrow.

What happens when the humidity is too low?

If your stamina is consistently below approximately 62–65% :

-> Cigar dries out

-> Smoke becomes more pungent

-> Cover sheet tears more easily

-> Burning becomes faster and hotter

Many people notice it first by the feel of the train and the aroma.

What happens when the humidity is too high?

If you consistently stay above 72–75% :

-> Cigar burns worse

-> it goes out or burns crookedly

-> Taste appears "dull"

-> Risk of mold increases significantly

Too much moisture is often more dangerous than slightly too dry conditions.

What is the ideal temperature?

Temperature also plays a role, because warm air can hold more moisture.

✅ Optimal: 18–21°C

Anything above 24°C can become problematic because:

-> Tobacco beetle risk can increase

-> Maturation is unintentionally accelerated

-> Values ​​become more unstable

Tips for keeping the humidity level in your humidor stable

✅ Tip 1: Don't open it constantly

The more often you leave the humidor open for a long time, the more the values ​​fluctuate.

✅ Tip 2: Do not place the humidor next to a heater or window.

Direct heat or sunlight disrupts the humidity levels.

✅ Tip 3: Use a good humidification system

Many modern solutions (e.g., packs) keep values ​​extremely stable without any effort.

✅ Tip 4: Don't blindly trust hygrometers

Many hygrometers give incorrect readings right out of the box. A quick check is worthwhile (see article 5).

Conclusion: 68–70% is perfect for most cigars

If you want to keep it simple:

✅ Target value: 68–70%
✅ Temperature: 18–21°C
✅ Stability > Perfection

This way your cigars stay fresh, aromatic and smoke as they should.

If you want to store your cigars not only correctly, but also stylishly :
Discover our aircraft trolley humidors and matching accessories for your setup.